The Adventures Of Theophane Anouil

IV

5 March 1901, London England

 I had returned to my home in London soon after Theophane’s visit, I had to resume my activities there. Business had been good in France for me, but I needed to return to England to attend to business there.

 Theophane had gone straight back to the café and found Esmé when he found her he asked her if she had made up her mind as to what to do. She had told him he was very kind but she simply could not invade his life, Theophane declared, “Mon bon petite Esmé, It would only bring me joy to adopt you as my daughter” Esmé replied, “Monsieur I would be as like your slave more than your daughter” “Mon Dieu Esmé, we will travel, we will play music around Europe" "But Monsieur, I cannot play," said Esmé. Theophane told her he would teach her, she replied, "I am as dumb as a pig, I can dance and sing, but not play." Theophane told her not to talk like that, but he was pleased with the fact that she could sing.

 They walked home to Theophane's attic apartment that he had secured just the previous week. Esmé, in a woman-like way, was taken aback by the very dirty appearance of the attic, "Monsieur is very messy" she said politely, "I will clean." Theophane frowned and tried to protest, Esmé you do not understand, I did not bring you here to make you my servant." She shook her head dark brown hair shaking carelessly in the soft movement while she did so, " Monsieur, I do understand, but I must not lie around and watch while you feed me." Theophane smiled, and he realised that she was too stubborn and could in no way be convinced, as it was pointless arguing he lit his pipe and watched her work.

 It was fascinating to him, she was quietly, gracefully going about the room, occasionally asking him where a certain object belonged or was to be placed. Once she had finished, she was flushed, rosy-cheeked and exhausted. Theophane left the only armchair in the room, beckoned for her to sit, and took an old wooden chair and settled down. He was silently examining the room in amazement, “Mon bon Esmé, you in the space of a few hours transformed my humble dump into a sparkling palace.

 He was then struck with the realization that she had nowhere to sleep, he jumped up and told her he would be back for dinner. Theophane managed to acquire a bed, an armchair, another wooden chair, a small chest, and some fabric somehow with the small amount of money he owned and hired a boy with a cart to drive his purchases back to his apartment for a few sous.

 When he arrived home Esmé was horrified. “Monsieur has spent too much money.”  “My dear,” he said “I have spent but a few francs, and you needed a place to sleep, seeing you are staying here with me, it seems only natural that you have some necessities.” She then spied the fabric, she was guilty that she would be dressed in new clothes, while he wore rough old clothes holes and frayed hems.

 Theophane then assessed the apartment, there was a bathroom, his room, a small kitchen, the lounge room, and the dining room.  He put the little table in the tiny kitchen, then removed the rug from in front of his armchair and moved it into the now empty dining area. He positioned her bed in the middle of the room on the far wall, placed the rug on the right-hand side, and set the chest at the foot of the bed. He used a small table from the lounge as a nightstand, and placed a pretty little lamp on top. After he had finished he was quite proud of the work he had achieved, he knew any further improvements could be made by the talented Esmé.

 He called her into the room, she came and quietly and practically examined her new room, making notes in her head, “Monsieur!” she exclaimed, “Why C’est la plus belle chambre.” and hugged him. Theophane was shocked by this sudden show of emotion and stood there awkwardly, “Pardon Monsieur” she said shyly, backing away embarrassed, scared she might have offended him.”Esmé” he said seriously, looking down at her, “Dont be ashamed, I am an old bachelor and am not used to such shows of affection, please excuse me standing there like a mule.” She laughed, he went on “Please also mon bon Esmé, call me Theophane, I am not a royalty or a gentleman.” She looked at him and promised she would use his Christian name even though se had been taught to address a gentleman in the proper way.